Monday 1st December: World AIDS Day

The human immunodeficiency virus, named HIV, is a sexually transmitted disease that targets the immune system and weakensbody’s systems that detect and defendagainst infection and certain types of cancer (source: World Health Organisation). AIDS is the abbreviated term for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. With more than 36 million deaths worldwide to date, this virus is a major public health concern.

As of 2014, 30,000 people in France are unknowingly infected with the AIDS virus.

World AIDS day has been organised each year since 1988, with the aim to inform and educate the public regarding the prevention, treatment and management of HIV/AIDS.

Heavily involved in research connected with the virus, researchers are enlisted all year round to find new strategies for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

See all information concerning theIPERGAY programme, a trial demonstrating the effectiveness of preventive treatment (ART) taken during intercourse against HIV/AIDSinfection, on the dedicated website (français)./complement]